Brad Marchand Gives Casual Response About Sam Bennett Hit: 'Stuff Happens'

Boston Bruins left-winger and team captain Brad Marchand is known as "The Little Ball of Hate," and with good reason.

He’s dished out countless dirty hits in his career and has surrendered $1.4 million in fines to the NHL, which is a lot of money by pro hockey standards. A bit of trivia for you: he’s the most suspended player in NHL history, receiving eight separate disciplines. Oh, and let’s not forget about his psychotic licking habits, which he’s thankfully stopped.

Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

One week ago, Marchand was involved in another dirty collision. But this time, he was on the receiving end of a cheap shot.

During Game 3 of Boston’s series against the Florida Panthers, Marchand went for a hit on Sam Bennett. Things went sideways though when the Panthers forward laid a reverse hit on Marchand.

But was it a hit, or a punch?

I’ll let you be the judge.

As you can imagine, there were tons of reactions online, ranging from Bruins fans who basically called for Sam Bennett to be publicly executed, to Marchand haters (there are many of them) saying that it’s high time a dirty player like him felt what it was like to be the victim of a cheap shot.

For his part, Bennett said the hit wasn’t intentional and that he was merely bracing for Marchand’s attempted hit. I find that hard to believe, given how there was a distinct punching motion from Bennett.

But I digress.

Marchand had stayed quiet for several days after sustaining the hit, choosing not to comment on the play. He sat out for the rest of Game 3, all of Game 4 (both Florida wins), and Game 5. But yesterday, he broke his silence.

And he seemed, what’s the word, chill about it?

Speaking with reporters, Marchand said that he believed Bennett did indeed land a cheap shot, but that he wasn’t losing any sleep over it.

"I think he got away with a shot. But I’m not gonna complain. S--t happens. … I’ve been on the other side of a lot of plays," Marchand said. "That’s part of the game, part of playoff hockey. Sucks to be on the other side of it, but that stuff happens."

For a guy that has often been unapologetic about his style of play, it’s refreshing for him to show this perspective on this collision, especially given his history. He perfectly drew the line between calling it dirty while not crying and whining about it either.

Game 6 between these two teams is tonight at 7 p.m. in Boston, and Marchand is a game-time decision. You can bet your bottom dollar that if he plays, the TD Garden will erupt for the Little Ball of Hate.